B

Similar Triangles
A
b
a Compare Like Ratios to Like Ratios
c

C Examples:
corresponding angles Large A B Left A a imbedded triangles are reflected triangles are
= or = etc.
match Small a b Right B b similar when P || Q similar when P || Q
Slope y
Grade m= x2 + y2 = z2 a + b = 90°
x
rise
Pitch m=
run z zm
Gradient x= y=
Tangent 1 + m2 1 + m2
45°-45°-90° Triangles 30°-60°-90° Triangles Heron's Formula
b
a a + b +c
A s=
2
c
A= s(s–a)(s–b)(s–c)

3D Pythagorean Theorem P
b c
A
Δx = x2 − x1
n=sides
a d Δy = y2 − y1 Q
e B
Δz = z2 − z1
total degrees = (n–2) 180°
D2 = Δx2 + Δy2+ Δz2 When A || B then <P = <Q

C A = π R2
R
a

R θ 4 π R3
rc

As D=2R AS = π R2 V=
360° 3
D
C=πD θ
arc = 2πR
360° Surface Area = 4 π R2
C=2πR

Trapezoids Polygon Area x1 y1 Parallelograms

x2 y1 x2 y2 x1 y2
B1 x3 y2 x3 y3 x2 y3
H x4 y3 x4 y4 x3 y4
B2 + x1 y4 x1 y1 x4 y5 +
(B1 + B2) –
A=
2
H A= |[ ]
2
[ ]
| A=BH a + b = 180°

rise Δy y2 – y1
slope = m = = =
run Δx x2 – x1
x1 + x2 y1 + y2
midpoint = ( , )
2 2

D= Δx2 + Δy2

b
b r
Volume of (B2 + B b + b2) H πH 2
B V= H V= (r + Rr + R2)
Frustums 3 3
B
R
 Solids with common V = (ABase)H V = π R2 H
cross-sections (such as a
height is perpendicular H
barrel) all have similar Surface Area =
to the base 2πRH + 2πR2
volumes R

Solids with similar (ABase)H Cone

cross-sections (such as a V=
3 H
cone) all have similar height is perpendicular π R2 H
volumes to the base R V=
3

To Graph y= mx + b To Find a Line's Equation

Lines
 Plot (0, b) the y-intercept rise y2 – y1
 Find m: m = =
 Plot a second point using m by run x2 – x1
shifting horizontally by run and
shifting vertically by rise.  Find b: b = y-intercept (i.e. x = 0)
 Draw graph
if the y-intercept is between integers or
To Graph ax + by = c off the grid b should be computed using
Plot the intercepts b = y0 – m x0 where (x0, y0) is any
 set x = 0, solve for y and plot (0, y) known point
 set y = 0, solve for x and plot (x, 0
 Draw graph  Once m & b are found: y = m x + b

Prefix Symbol Factor Example Solving Linear Equations

Giga G 109 5 GigaBytes
Mega M 106 6 Megahertz 1) Remove Fractions: mult through by LCD
Kilo k 103 2 kilometers cancel fractions
Hecto h 102 3 hectograms 2) Remove ( ): distributive rule; beware of negatives!
Deka da 101 5 dekaliters 3) Combine Like Terms
Deci d 10–1 3 decigrams 4) Shift variable terms to one side (add/sub)
Centi c 10–2 2 centimeters 5) Shift all other terms to other side
Milli m 10–3 5 milligrams 6) Write as (coefficient) × (variable)
Micro µ 10–6 4 micrograms 7) Divide out the Coefficient
Nano n 10–9 5 nanoseconds 8) Check the Answer

Exponents Quadratic Formula

Mitered Triangles
am an = am+n
-b± b2 − 4ac
am ax2 + bx + c = 0; x=
2a
= am–n
an
a0 = 1 Distributive Rule
1
a–n = n a(b ± c) = ab ± ac (b ± c)a = ba ± ca
a
b±c b c
(a b)n = (an) (bn) a
=
a
±
a
a n an
( b ) = bn

a = a1/2 = a0.5 Factoring

ab = a b ax + bx = (a + b)x

a a ax + bx − cx = (a + b − c)x
=
b b
Summary of Trig Relationships
y
Non-trig Relationships using Slope, m
y r rm (x, y)rect
m= x2 + y2 = r2 x= y= y (r, )polar
x 1 + m2 1 + m2

Arc Length and Velocity r a
θ° y
a = r θ (θ in radians) a= 2π r (θ in degrees) 2πrad = 360°
360° 
v = r ω (θ in radians) e.g. (ft/sec = ft × rad/sec) x x x
Standard Diagram
Trig Relationships
y opp y opp
sin θ = = Given a right triangle θ = sin–1 ( r ) = sin–1 ( hyp )
Given a right triangle r hyp
when θ is not known
when θ is known use x adj x adj
cos θ = = use these trig θ = cos–1 ( r ) = cos–1 ( hyp )
these trig relationships r hyp
relationships to find
to find a missing side y opp y opp
tan θ = = an angle θ = tan–1 ( x ) = tan–1 ( adj )
x adj
x = r cos θ y = r sin θ θ + α = 90° = π/2rad 45° = π/4 180° = π 60° = π/6 30° = π/12
sin θ
tan θ = m θ = tan-1 m sin θ = cos α cos θ = sin α sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1 = tan θ
cos θ

Some Examples that do NOT require Trigonometry

Not every triangle requires

trigonometry.
Don't forget to use similar
triangles where possible.
Don’t forget there are 180° Two Angles Match
Imbedded Triangles, P||Q Reflected Triangles, P||Q
in every triangle. Use 180° in triangles
Use Similar Triangles Use Similar Triangles Use Similar Triangles

Only right triangles can use

the Pythagorean Thm.

Both legs known,

Slope only makes sense with Imbedded Right Triangles slope missing Mitered Right Triangles
a vertical vs. horizontal Use Similar Triangles
Use Similar Triangles rise
relationship. Use m = Use Pythagorean Thm.
Use Pythagorean Thm. run

A right triangle with 2 sides

known, one side missing

Use Pythagorean Thm.

Slope and diagonal known, legs missing

Slope and one leg known, other leg missing z zm
rise Use x= ; y=
Use m = 1 + m2 1 + m2
run
Examples that do require Trigonometry

The tangent is used when

There is a right triangle one angle and one leg known, other leg missing Both legs known, angles missing
Use tan θ = opp/adj
The parts of interest are: Use θ = tan-1 (opp/adj)
an angle,
both legs,
the slope Slope known, Standard angle missing Standard angle known, slope missing
-1
Use θ = tan m Use tan θ = m
The sine is used when
There is a right triangle
The parts of interest are:
an angle, Angle, opposite leg known, Angle, hypotenuse known, Hypotenuse, leg known;
hypotenuse missing leg opposite angle missing angle opposite leg missing
its opposite leg,
the diagonal Use sin θ = opp/hyp Use sin θ = opp/hyp Use θ = sin-1 (opp/hyp)
The cosine is used when
There is a right triangle
The parts of interest are:
an angle, Angle, adjacent leg known, Angle, hypotenuse known, Known sides bracketing
hypotenuse missing adjacent leg missing a missing angle
its adjacent leg,
the diagonal Use cos θ = adj/hyp Use cos θ = adj/hyp Use θ = cos-1 (adj/hyp)

When extra information is A right triangle with all sides known but angles missing
known there are multiple
possibilities. Use any inverse trig function
Non-Right Triangles use Law of Sines or Law of Cosines
Use Law of Sines with Use Law of Cosines with
2 angles + 2 sides with one part missing. 3 sides known and missing angles or side-angle-side combo
Often must first use sum of angles is 180°. known with side opposite angle missing
Law of Cosines
c B Law of Sines c B
A A A2 + B2 – 2ABcos θ = C2
a sin a sin b sin c a
b A
=
B
=
C b A2 + B2 − C2
C C cos θ =
2AB

Examples

3 Sides known, angles Missing 2 Side-Opposite Angle Combos

with 3 parts known
Use Law of Cosines to find first angle
side-angle-side combo known
Many choices after that Use Law of Sines to find missing part
Use Law of Cosines to find third side Many choices after that

angle-angle-side combo known angle-side-angle combo known

rd
Use 180° in triangle for 3 angle Use 180° in triangle for 3rd angle Be careful when using Law of Sines
Use Law of Sines to find sides Use Law of Sines to find sides with Obtuse Triangles!

Summary of Basic Trigonometry:

Using Trigonometry in a geometry problem involves triangles. The triangle(s) may be S A

obvious but sometimes they are imbedded deceptively within a more complicated S
geometry. Generally, the task at hand is to use partial information given about the various A
A
triangles to determine all three angles (A) and all three sides (S) of each triangle. S

Given only SSS, SAS, ASA, AAS we always have a unique triangle. Thus, the remaining three parts of the
triangle are predetermined. In each of the examples below the remaining three parts (?) can be found using
trigonometry formulas.

S ? S ? ? A
? ? S
? S ?
A ? A A
? ? A ?
S S S ?
SAS SSS ASA AAS

However, if given SSA two possible triangles can occur but only two. Trigonometry can still give us the
unknown parts exactly if we know which of the two cases we have, an acute triangle or an obtuse triangle.
 S
S S S

A A
2 possibilities acute triangle obtuse triangle

If we have just the three angles known there are an infinite number of similar triangles. A
Thus, we must always have at least one side given to exactly determine all parts. ?
?
A
With the exception of AAA (similar triangles) knowing three of the six triangle parts allows A
?
us to find the remaining three parts (assuming we have a sketch for the SSA case).

In the case of right triangles, one angle (the right angle) is already known so we only need two additional parts to
exactly determine all six parts. Right triangles are usually preferable because the relationships are simpler to
work with.

Not every triangle requires trigonometry to determine its components. Often a triangle is oriented so that "slope"
makes sense for one "angle" of the triangle. If a slope is given (or desired) we can often avoid trigonometry and
still determine all the remaining parts of the triangle.

In Trigonometry Applications:
1) Find triangles inherent and useful to the problem. Label them.
2) Decide if a triangle is a right-triangle or non-right-triangle.
3) Determine which relation is required.
4) Use the relationship to set up an equation.
5) Solve the equation
6) Repeat as necessary
Some hints:
Only right triangles can use the Pythagorean Theorem.
Recall there are 180° in a triangle and complementary angles sum to 90°.
Use Sin, Cos or Tan with right triangles when the angle is known.
Use Sin–1, Cos–1 or Tan–1 with right triangles when the angle is the unknown.
When two sides form a "t" use Tan or Tan–1.
Right-triangles which involve the hypotenuse and an angle use either Sin or Cos.
Right-triangles which involve two sides bracketing an angle use Cos.
Right-triangles which involve the hypotenuse and a side opposite an angle use Sin.
Non-right triangles use Law of Sines or Law of Cosines.
When a right triangle is in its standard position the When a right triangle is in a random position be careful
various relationships are easier to recognize and apply. when using the trigonometric relationships.

standard position with slope standard position with angle be careful using slope here slope is inapplicable here
a c cm a opp b
m= ; a2 + b2 = c2; b= 2; a= m = tan θ = tan θ = =
b 1+m 1 + m2 b adj a

rise rise run opp a opp b

tan θ = ; sin θ = ; cos θ = θ = tan–1 = tan–1 sin θ = =
run hyp hyp adj b hyp c

a = c sin θ b = c cos θ opp adj adj a

θ = sin–1 ; θ = cos–1 cos θ = =
hyp hyp hyp c

Procedure Summary:

The triangle is a Right Triangle The triangle is NOT a Right Triangle

If two sides are known, find the third side by If three parts of three sides and one angle are known
using the Pythagorean Theorem. use Law of Cosines to find the fourth part.

If one complementary angle is known find A2 + B2 – 2AB cos () = C2

the other using complements sum to 90°.
A2 + B2 – C2
If two sides are known find an angle with: cos () = 2AB
opp adj opp
 = sin–1 hyp ,  = cos–1 hyp ,  = tan–1 adj .
If three parts of two sides and two angles are known
If one angle and one side are known use Law of Sines to find the fourth part.
find another side using:
sin a sin b sin c
opp adj opp
sin() = hyp , cos() = hyp , tan () = adj A = B = C
Examples

Imbedded Triangles Reflected Triangles

with P||Q with P||Q Two Angles Match. Mitered Right Triangles
Use 180° in triangles Use Similar Triangles
Use Similar Triangles Use Similar Triangles Use Similar Triangles Use Pythagorean Thm.

3 Sides, Angles Missing 2 Side-Angle Combos Side-Angle-Side

Use Law of Cosines to find Use Law of Sines to find a Use Law of Cosines to find
Reference Triangle angles Many choices after that third side

Angle- Angle-Side Angle-Side-Angle

Use 180° in triangle Use 180° in triangle
Use Law of Sines to find Use Law of Sines to find
sides sides Be careful when using Law of Sines with Obtuse Triangles!